The Mysterious Past of the Labbacallee Wedge Tomb

The Labbacallee Wedge Tomb which is the largest example of its type in Ireland

The Labbacallee Wedge Tomb is the largest example of its type in Ireland. These megalithic structures are so called because of their shape – they decrease in height and width from the front to the back. They are the most numerous of the megalithic tombs found in Ireland and are mostly located in the west of the country. They generally date between the Late Neolithic period and the Early Bronze Age.

If we could only journey back through the mists of time to around the year 2300 B.C.E, we would lay eyes on a disturbing scene. The decapitated (and somewhat decomposed) body of a woman was buried here at the Labbacallee Wedge Tomb at around that time in a cramped secret chamber within the larger tomb. Her head was interred separately in the main body of the megalithic construction, propped gruesomely upright between two pieces of another skull from a teenage boy.

A view of the interior of the main chamber of the Labbacallee Wedge Tomb

We can only speculate why her remains were divided and buried in this bizarre way. Many thousands of years later, local folklore tells us that the tomb was known as ‘Leaba Caillighe’ (The Hag’s Bed), leading commentators to wonder if there might perhaps be some sort of connection between this eerie Bronze Age burial and the more modern tales of witchcraft which are synonymous with this part of rural Ireland.

The famous antiquarian writer John Aubrey referred to the tomb in his writings of 1693. The tomb has made history as the first of its type to be subjected to a ‘modern’ archaeological survey. This excavation, led by H.G. Leask, took place in 1934. During the process of excavation, the team realised that one of the uprights was designed to move aside, and on doing so the main chamber was revealed. Here they found evidence suggesting that the structure had been used domestically at some point during the Iron Age.

In total, the tomb measures thirteen metres in length and six metres in width at its largest point. The front of the tomb is placed where it is eerily bathed in the light of the setting sun during the March and September equinoxes. Body parts from at least five people were found in the tomb during the course of the excavations, including those of the headless woman.

When the team led by H. G. Leask first opened the capstone leading to the second hidden chamber, they found a small space packed with a mix of stones, fragments of pottery and, more chillingly, cremated human bones. In one corner they found a portal that led from the larger chamber to the smaller. This, they surmise, may have been used as a way to add further remains or other burial paraphernalia. It was not until the smaller chamber had been nearly completely stripped that the archaeologists came across the decapitated remains of the headless woman.

They observed that the condition of skeleton indicated that it had been in a state of decomposition when it was buried. This led them to wonder whether the body had been buried elsewhere and then moved. A delicate bone pin that was found just beside the remains may have been used to secure the shroud in which the body was wrapped. It was also noted that the skeleton showed signs of a malformed leg. This fact inevitably leads us to speculate that this unfortunate woman was perhaps deemed to be not quite human simply because of her physical handicap.

While this does seem plausible, there are of course many more mundane explanations for the manner of her burial. It is possible that she may have been laid to rest in this way because she was revered as a goddess, or even that the way her skull was placed was one of the first examples of the ‘Cult of the Head’, which was followed by the Celts. It is perfectly possible that it was only when the issue of witchcraft raised its barbaric head centuries later that this tomb began to enter folklore as the final resting place of a ‘hag’.

A view from the southern side showing the remains of the kerbing of the cairn that once covered this huge megalithic monument along with a modern cairn in the foreground.

Ireland largely escaped the witch inquisitions that raged across Britain and Continental Europe between the fifteenth and eighteenth centuries, and which peaked between approximately 1580 and 1630. Starting from the sixth century, many people in Ireland followed a Celtic-influenced Christianity and continued to do so right up until the time of the Norman Invasion. This version of Christianity incorporated and was tolerant of local practices, including sorcery and magic, justifying them by making them attributable to saints. Because of this, fearful concepts such as the Devil and the witch, which led to such bloodshed elsewhere, did not resonate in same way in Ireland as they did elsewhere.

Whatever the provenance and history of the remains found in the Labbacallee Wedge Tomb, there is no doubt that it is a site around which legends abound. One of the most pervasive legends tells that one day, very long ago, four local men went to the tomb in the middle of the night, with the aim of digging for the treasure that they had heard was buried there. As they started to dig, it is said that an enchanted cat appeared, fire bursting from its tail, terrifying the men, who were dazzled by the light emitting from it. Panicking, they ran screaming from the scene, and in the ensuing panic one fell into the nearby river and drowned. The remaining men lived to tell the tale, and their experience stood as a stark warning to others that they should never, under any circumstances, disturb the resting place of the long dead at this most mysterious of megalithic sites.

The Labbacallee Wedge Tomb is easy to locate. From Fermoy, head north on the N72, and then take a slight right on to the R512. After approximately 3.2km, you will turn right to the megalithic tomb, which is located over a stile behind a stone wall. There is room to park on the roadside and entrance to the tomb is free.

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The 68th Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann will take place in Drogheda. This will be the first time in the history of the Fleadh that it is being held on the

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Event Details

The 68th Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann will take place in Drogheda. This will be the first time in the history of the Fleadh that it is being held on the north east coast of Ireland.

The annual Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann has grown over the years to be the largest and most unique cultural festival in the world. With attendance numbers in excess of 400,000 one can truly see its importance. Its significance is cultural, economic and social and it is a tribute to all those who kept the cultural traditions of Ireland alive down through the decades.

For a great many musicians, the Fleadh is the culmination of months of hard work and practice as they compete against fellow musicians, singers and dancers at local Fleadhanna so as to achieve the recognition of being an All-Ireland champion.

For others, the Fleadh is a unique and welcoming festival featuring the very best of traditional arts and offering a wide range of activities to be enjoyed by all.

This years Fleadh will have a significant emphasis on youth with children’s mid-morning sessions organised to run from Monday through to Thursday from 11.00 a.m. – 12.00 p.m. in the Barbican Centre. It will also offer an extensive youth programme which aims to increase student’s awareness of Irish culture and tradition and encourage them to become actively involved in the Fleadh.

Fiddles and bodhrans which were made by the Drogheda Men’s Shed and decorated by secondary school students in the town were on display at the launch and these will be displayed in various shops throughout the town during the Fleadh in August.

Families will be well catered for with lots of events at Seachtain na Gaeilge and the Mid Morning Sessions in the Barbican Centre which will be hosted by Sean O’Laoire, well known singer and Gaeilgeoir from Co. Meath.

Tickets are available to purchase for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2018 and the line-up of events, activities and performances, which will take place every day from Sunday 12th through to Sunday 19th August 2018, is available to view at www.fleadhcheoil.ie.

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The annual Féile Ceol na Locha Summer School in the Gaeltacht area of Tourmakeady, will take place this year from the 13th to the 17th of August. It is a music, culture and language school sponsored mainly by Údaras na Gaeltachta and An Comhairle Ealaíon, and is held at Coláiste Mhuire, with all tuition provided through the medium of Irish.

Now in its 20th year, the school provides training at beginners and intermediate level in the following subjects: button accordion, tin whistle, fiddle, harp, flute, bodhrán, guitar, concertina, sean-nós dancing, irish singing, art and conversational Irish. Most of the teachers are back year after year.

During the week there will be evening sessions in the local pubs where the tutors, students and locals will be playing.

Registration for the Classes/Workshops will commence in Coláiste Mhuire on at 9.30am on Monday. The Classes/Workshops then take place during the mornings between 10am and 1.30pm. The Summer School is open to all ages from 9 years of age, no upper limit.

For the 5 to 9 years age category, there is Óige Ceol na Locha. The activities include games, art, singing.

On the final day of the summer school the teachers and students will participate in a finale concert at Coláiste Mhuire. This concert provides a great opportunity for all the participants to play and dance together.

Then, early on Friday evening there will be a Barbeque for everyone. This will be held at Paddy’s Bar which is in the village.

Over the years, the school has taken on an international flavour, with participants coming from the UK, Europe and the USA.

As already mentioned, all tuition is through the medium of the Irish language.

For full details of the Summer School and to register for a place, please visit the Ceol na Locha website.

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Now in its 16th year, Masters of Tradition celebrates the best of Irish and International traditional music in its’ purest form through a series of concerts, talks and performances.
The performances

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Event Details

Now in its 16th year, Masters of Tradition celebrates the best of Irish and International traditional music in its’ purest form through a series of concerts, talks and performances.

The performances take place mainly in Bantry House, which is one of Ireland’s most exquisite historic mansions, and in other venues such as St Brendan’s Church.

The event provides a platform where subtle and sometimes obscure elements of Irish traditional music can be heard. By seeking the heart of the music we find a universal voice that has widespread appeal reaching across many cultural and musical barriers.

The festival is headlined by its Artistic Director, Martin Hayes, the fiddler from East Clare, whose distinctive touch and extravagant virtuosity has brought the tradition to new levels. His famous trance-evoking sets with Dennis Cahill have mesmerised audiences all over the world and will do so again this summer!

This year, Masters of Tradition is broadening its reach through two exciting new endeavours Ceolchoirm Rúnda (Secret Concerts) and Cainteanna (Talks).

The Secret Concerts will take place in unusual venues throughout the Bantry area. Admission to these concerts is free but booking is required. If you want to find out who is performing, you’ll just have to come along!

The Cainteanna (Talks) series includes discussions and chats exploring music,
creativity, tradition, philosophy, poetry and history with an occasional tune
or two for good measure. Details on each of these afternoon events are
included throughout the programme.

Also, during the festival impromptu sessions of extraordinary quality continue non-stop day and night on the streets and in the pubs.

Tickets are available to purchase for Masters of Tradition 2018 and the line-up of events, activities and performances, which will take place every day from Wednesday 22nd through to Sunday 26th August 2018, is available to view at www.westcorkmusic.ie/mastersoftradition/programme.

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The Crotty Galvin Traditional Music Weekend, is one of the most authentic and friendliest festivals you are likely to find. It is held at Garrihys Bar in Moyasta, near the

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Event Details

The Crotty Galvin Traditional Music Weekend, is one of the most authentic and friendliest festivals you are likely to find. It is held at Garrihys Bar in Moyasta, near the stunning Loop Head peninsula and named after three celebrated local musicians, Ellen ‘Nell’ Galvin, PJ Crotty and his brother Peadar Crotty.

Musicians, dancers, singers and storytellers are invited every year to perform for the weekend. This year marks its 16th year with it going from strength to strength each year. The weekend features a great line-up of sessions, ceilis, dancing and music classes.

On Saturday afternoon, there will be free music and dance workshops. These will be between 12 and 4pm and are always well attended. The Workshops/Classes will cover Tin Whistle, Concert Flute, Fiddle, Brush Dance and Séan Nós Dancing.

The Weekend kicks off on Friday night at 8pm with a Seisiún. Then at 9.30pm the weekend will be Officially Opened by Jesse McNamara. This will be followed by another Seisiún and a Ceilí with Dal Gcais Ceilí Band.

On Saturday there will be a visit to the green (weather permitting) with a short prayer and a few tunes and an afternoon Seisiún with the Ann Hayes Group in Garrihy’s which will include a host of very talented young musicians. At 5pm the evening Seisiún will begin and will continue well into the night.

Remember that all Musicians are welcome to join in the Siesiúns!

Sunday starts off with Mass in St Flannans Church, Lisdeen at 9.30am followed by a visit to Lisdeen Cemetery to the graves of Nell Galvin and Peadar Crotty.

An afternoon Seisiún will commence at 2pm and then between 7 and 10pm the Seisiún Mór/Ceilí with Shandrum Ceilí Band will be on full flow in the Front Bar and from 10 onwards Donie Nolan and friends will be in the Lounge for a Ceilí.

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This September sees the second Fingal Fleadh and Fair take place in Swords. The medieval grounds of Swords Castle and the Main Street in Swords Village will host a programme of

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Event Details

This September sees the second Fingal Fleadh and Fair take place in Swords. The medieval grounds of Swords Castle and the Main Street in Swords Village will host a programme of workshops and recitals.

This event celebrates the strong tradition of music in the Fingal community and will be centred around participation and performance with free Workshops and Concerts by some of the biggest names in traditional Irish music. It is geared very much for all the family with something for everyone to enjoy.

John Spillane will be returning again this year and performing his ‘Songs We Learned in School’ set which proved to be very popular last year.

Swords Castle will be the key venue for the event with free concerts featuring Lumiere, Kíla, Danú, The Whileaways, The Dixie Micks, John Spillane, The Mulcahy Family, Niamh Parsons and many more.

Also in the castle grounds there will be an Artisan Food, Drink & Craft Fair.

This year there will be a Street Seisiún Competition which will take over Swords on Saturday the 8th with the Main Street closed to traffic.

During the festival there will a ‘Session Trail’ around the town which will feature a mixture of performances and open sessions by musicians from all over the country.

The Fingal Fleadh is the perfect place to meet up with all of your friends for a few tunes and to enjoy a weekend of great music.

If you have any queries regarding the Fingal Fleadh & Fair, please email: [email protected]